LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
As coaching journeys go, Ron Griffiths has had the mother of them all this year.
It started with guiding the Indigenous All Stars against the Māori All Stars in Sydney in February before he leapt into his work as the man tasked with steering the NZ Warriors back into the NRLW after a five-year absence.
But there was no time to put the feet up when that campaign finished last month.
He has been fully immersed in one of the most exceptional signing sprees in the NZ Warriors' history - NRL or NRLW - as he confirmed the acquisition of three of the Brisbane Broncos' premiership-winning stars in Gayle Broughton, Mele Hufanga and Annetta Nuuausala. All were announced in the space of six days.
At the same time, Griffiths was still on the coaching treadmill, taking his beloved Newcastle Yowies to the annual Koori Knockout, one of the biggest indigenous gatherings in Australia that brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rugby league teams from across New South Wales.
Held at the Riverside Sporting Complex in Tamworth last week, this year's event attracted more than 170 teams and 4000 players competing across various grades.
Griffiths' side included Papua New Guinea and former North Queensland half Kyle Laybutt, who kicked a late field goal in a thrill-packed grand final to give the Yowies a 25-24 win over the Bourke Warriors, featuring former Newcastle and Penrith halfback Luke Walsh.
Now, Griffiths has another coaching assignment, a new job as Cook Islands coach for the women's Pacific Bowl competition in the Pacific Championships starting in Port Moresby next weekend.